The Independent (Freetown)
Alpha R. Jalloh
28 March 2007
The Special Court for war crimes in Sierra Leone says an autopsy to determine the cause of death last month of Special Court indictee Sam Hinga Norman has showed that he died of natural causes.
According to the court, the autopsy report, shows that Mr. Norman died of natural causes from a myocardial infarctionâl. "The report was finalised this week after receipt of the results of toxicology tests" an official statement from the court states.
It further reveals that the autopsy was conducted on March 5 by a four-member team of pathologists and medical experts led by Prof. Mendes of Senegal. One of the experts was selected by the Special Court, and one by the Government of Sierra Leone.
"Former Vice President Dr. Albert Joe Demby, a medical doctor, observed the autopsy on behalf of the Norman family. Dr. Donald Harding, the Special Court's Medical Officer, also attended as an observer", the statement further reads.
In January, Mr. Norman was taken to Hospital Aristide Le Dantec, a military hospital in Dakar, the capital of the West African state of Senegal, for a routine medical procedure which the Special Court for war crimes said was not available in Sierra Leone. "The procedure was performed successfully on February 8. On February 22, Mr. Norman collapsed in his hospital room. Doctors tried unsuccessfully to revive him", the Court asserts.
According to them, on February 22, former Special Court Registrar Lovemore Munlo SC, ordered an inquest to determine the cause of Mr. Norman's death. Mr. Munlo has resigned recently and no reason has been given for his resignation
The Court says a separate inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his death was ordered by the President of the Special Court, Justice George Gelaga-King. That inquiry is being conducted by Justice Renate Winter of Austria.
A second indictee, Issa Hassan Sesay, also received medical treatment in Dakar on the same day. Mr. Sesay was returned to Freetown on March 1 and the court says, "he is in good health".
Special Court says, "A copy of the autopsy report was sent to the Norman family. The results of the toxicology tests will now be made available to the family".
The late Hinga Norman was former deputy minister of defence prior to his indictment,and during the war he was the coordinator of the pro-government Civil Defence Force that fought rebels of the Revolutionary United front rebel movement. Many atrocities were committed during the war for which all sides to the war except the West African intervention force known as Ecomog , were indicted. Three of the leading figures in the war have died. They are; Sam Mosquito Bockarie former Battle Field commander of the Revolutionary United Front, Foday Sankoh leader of the RUF and Hinga Norman.
The former President of Liberia, Charles Taylor is on trial at the Hague for allegedly supporting the RUF during the war years.
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